Statistical assessment for performance of Al-Mussaib drinking water treatment plant at the year 2020

Abstract

Assessment of water quality is a major step in the water industry to ensure the suitability of water for human use. In this study, statistically evaluate the quality of raw and treated drinking water of the Al-Mussaib drinking water treatment plant, Babylon city, Iraq, from January to December 2020. Additionally, the water quality of treated water was assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) and Iraqi standards for drinking water. The results showed the plant has a good efficiency in removing the studied parameters, such as alkalinity, calcium and hardness. It is noteworthy to mention that although the measured concentrations/levels met the WHO and Iraqi standards, they were higher than the favourable limits. For example, the measured sulphate concentration in the produced water was 248 mg/L, which is higher than the favourable concentration (200 mg/L) (WHO). The statistical analysis indicated significant differences between the quality of raw and treated water (p-value <0.05) in terms of turbidity, hardness, magnesium and dissolved solids concentrations, but there was no significant difference (p-value >0.05) in terms of alkalinity, pH, calcium and sulphates concentrations. The results of this work could be useful for water authorities and decision-makers in Iraq and national and international environmental agencies.